Switch Shocks to Ridgid Struts on occasion?????
Stage II
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
hey
i just registered to the forum, mostly because I found this conversation to be really informative. I really like the look of the struts in place of the fenders. i don't know enough to comment on gthe performance aspect of what it does so im not gonna even try. Im actually looking at changing over my shocks to struts now, which is how i came across the forum, and i was wondering if you made the struts and if so what did you make them out of. i was just curious so i can make my own if neccessary and know what materials work best.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 4,904
Likes: 9
From: Streetsboro, Oh
I think it will be a PITA to switch back and forth, but it's not going to hurt anything that I can think of. Get the struts and see how you like them and go from there. I don't think anyone is going to make fun of you for running struts and if they do F++K them!
Novice
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
From: craptona
this was the first mod i made on my bike. takes some getting used to but once you get the hang of it you will be fine. i went from a thick padded full seat to a daytripper mustang seat and now i use a seat pan skinned with leather. for the old lady i made a pillion pad that wraps around the saddle bag strap that runs across the fender. no complaints from her as long as she can slide off the saddle every 75 to 100 miles... I tried the shock to strut back n forth game for a while n got tired of it...now I'm waiting for my Flyrite rigid frame which should be in for xmas. ride whatever makes ya happy bro....
Road Captain
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 564
Likes: 3
From: Orange County, CA
I recently removed the Progressive 412s off the back of my bike and put on a set of Biltwell struts; I was surprised at how comfortable the ride was once I lowered the rear tire pressure to 22 psi. 
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,230
Likes: 12
From: Mount Holly, NC
the sidewalls on those tires have good flex, and the additional height will give you better lean angles by raising the rear back where it should be, and un-break those wonky stearing angles. it takes a few stabs at air pressue to get good balance between boingy-boingy and rock-hard, but once you find the sweet spot, its all gravy.
i know it gets annoying to have someone preach about this, but learning this hard way hurts like hell when you get older. no lie.
Intermediate
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
I put struts on my FXR, back in the day. Got that bike real low too. Hit a pothole one day while riding on Hwy 99 in NorCal. Knocked the wind out of me, but the looks of the bike was worth every inch of roadway. I put a half inch piece of wood and set it on top the tire, dropped the bike down onto the wood, and measured the shock mount distances... took some 1" thick aluminum round stock, filed the ends bullet shaped, drilled them to the afformentioned measurement, painted them gloss black, and "instant soup"...
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change, davidson, harley, motorcycle, nightster, pictures, rear, shock, shocks, slim, sportster, sportsters, spring, struts, suspension
